The stakes remain high as Pakistan’s delegation concludes its visit to Kabul. Whether these talks will yield tangible results remains uncertain, but the shared acknowledgment of mutual challenges offers a glimmer of hope for reconciliation.

A high-powered Pakistani delegation led by Muhammad Sadiq, the country’s special envoy on Afghanistan, arrived in Kabul last week in a significant diplomatic effort to address growing tensions and escalating security challenges between the two neighbours. This marked the first high-level visit by Pakistani officials to Afghanistan in over 15 months, underscoring the urgency of resolving mutual, yet confronting concerns.

The visit comes as Pakistan grapples with a surge in terrorism, particularly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, attributed to the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups operating from Afghan territory. Islamabad’s move to engage Kabul diplomatically signals a renewed effort to stabilise bilateral relations and enhance security on either side of the Durand Line.

Meetings Focus on Security and Bilateral Relations

Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq and his delegation initiated talks upon their arrival on Monday evening, engaging with Afghanistan’s Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani in an extended meeting over dinner. Discussions centered on the deteriorating security situation, the presence of terrorist hideouts along the shared border, and mechanisms to enhance bilateral cooperation.

On Tuesday, the delegation held formal talks with Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. A statement issued by the Afghan Foreign Ministry highlighted that both sides emphasised the need for “joint efforts” to ensure peace, security, and economic development. The discussions underscored the historical, cultural, and religious ties between the two nations while acknowledging the pressing need to address existing challenges.

“We are determined to resolve the existing issues between Afghanistan and Pakistan through joint efforts, so that economic and public ties between the two countries are further strengthened,” Muhammad Sadiq stated during the talks.

The Pakistani delegation also conveyed condolences on behalf of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar for the death of Khalilur Rehman Haqqani, a senior Afghan leader. Sadiq expressed deep sorrow over the loss and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to fostering stronger relations.

Strained Relations Amid Rising Tensions

Sirajuddin Haqqani welcomed the Pakistani delegation, emphasizing the “religious, cultural, and historical commonalities” between the two nations. He called for intensified efforts to resolve political and security disputes, stating that, “The current situation demands that efforts be intensified to resolve security and political issues, to prevent any harm to the relationship between the two nations, and to ensure the stability and development of the region.”

At the conclusion of the meetings, both sides stressed the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation to strengthen bilateral ties. The Pakistani delegation is expected to hold further discussions with Afghan authorities before concluding the trip.

Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have remained strained in recent months, primarily due to Islamabad’s accusations that the TTP operates with impunity from Afghan territory. Pakistan has consistently urged the Taliban government to take decisive action against these groups, which have intensified attacks on Pakistani soil since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.

For the record, the Afghan Taliban has, however, denied harbouring TTP militants and has labelled the issue an “internal matter” for Pakistan. Independent reports, including those from international organisations, have corroborated Pakistan’s claims, highlighting the TTP’s growing presence in Afghanistan.

Yet, the formalities notwithstanding, the icy relationships might still remain. According to a Voice of America report, a senior Taliban official in Afghanistan has suggested that the group will continue to offer shelter to anti-Pakistan militants, referring to them as “guests” in line with the country’s cultural traditions.

Afghanistan Taliban information minister Khairullah Khairkhwa made the statement just days after reports emerged of Pakistani military airstrikes targeting suspected terrorist hideouts in an eastern Afghan border province over the past fortnight.

The Taliban asserted that last Tuesday’s strike in Paktika province caused the deaths of nearly 50 civilians, mostly refugees from Pakistan. Although these claims remain unverified by independent sources, the United Nations reported having “received credible information” indicating that dozens of civilians, including women and children, were killed in the Pakistani airstrikes in the remote region.

The Fallout of a Fractured Alliance

Pakistan, once a key backer of the Taliban during their insurgency against US-led forces, now faces challenges from the very group it once supported. The Taliban’s refusal to recognize the Durand Line – a colonial-era border demarcation – and their opposition to Pakistan’s border fencing efforts have further exacerbated tensions.

Recent cross-border violence, including a Taliban attack that killed 19 Pakistani soldiers, has strained relations to the breaking point. In retaliation for Pakistan’s airstrikes targeting suspected TTP hideouts in Afghanistan’s Paktika province, the Taliban forces crossed the border, intensifying hostilities.

The Durand Line, drawn during British rule, has long been a point of contention. No Afghan government, including the Taliban, has officially recognized the boundary since Pakistan’s independence in 1947. This ongoing dispute complicates border management and contributes to the instability plaguing the region.

The TTP, an outlawed militant group, has been a persistent thorn in Pakistan’s side, conducting deadly attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Islamabad accuses the Taliban of providing safe haven to TTP fighters, a claim the Taliban has publicly dismissed. However, recent statements from senior Taliban officials, including Information Minister Khairullah Khairkhwa, suggest otherwise.

Khairkhwa described anti-Pakistan militants as “guests” under Afghan traditions, emphasizing Kabul’s commitment to protecting them. “Anyone who attacks Afghanistan or harbors such intentions must learn from the defeat of three superpowers,” he said, referencing historical invasions by Britain, the Soviet Union, and the United States.

Diplomacy as a Last Resort

Pakistan’s military has intensified its counterterrorism operations, reportedly eliminating over 900 militants, including key TTP commanders, this year. Despite these efforts, the rising death toll of Pakistani security forces underscores the challenges Islamabad faces.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently called for enhanced economic and trade relations with Afghanistan but stressed that TTP-led cross-border terrorism remains a “red line.” “They must rein in TTP,” Sharif stated. “This constitutes a red line for us. The TTP operating from Afghan soil is unacceptable under any circumstances.”

As tensions escalate, Pakistan’s latest diplomatic outreach reflects a preference for dialogue over military confrontation. Both nations face immense pressure to address their differences to prevent further destabilization of the region. For Pakistan, resolving these issues is critical to its national security and economic recovery. For Afghanistan, rebuilding relations with a key neighbour is essential to gaining international recognition and support.

The stakes remain high as Pakistan’s delegation concludes its visit to Kabul. Whether these talks will yield tangible results remains uncertain, but the shared acknowledgment of mutual challenges offers a glimmer of hope for reconciliation to Pakistan. But, as one observer points out, this time, unlike in the past, the Afghan Taliban government is taking cognizance of the anti-Pakistan feelings of many Afghan citizens.

Image for representational purposes from Wikimedia